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Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF Casualty Update 20 Nov 2009 [PDF]
• DoD News: DoD Identifies Navy Casualty
• Gates Shares Views on Guard's Role in Iraq, Afghanistan AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Gates: Though the National Guard has a role in reconstruction missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s a temporary one.
• Airpower Summary: November 18 AFNS 20 Nov 2009
• Dragons display artillery abilities Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- In the current combat environment, artillery cannons are often used as fixed pieces, conducting fire support missions from inside a stationary fire base
• Q-West force protection company shows flexibility with convoy escort Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- In a continued effort to draw down excess equipment, a Mississippi Army National Guard unit conducted a convoy mission from Contingency Operating Location Q-West to Contingency Operating Base Speicher Nov. 9
• Iraqi Forces, U.S. Advisors Capture Terrorism Suspects AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested 5 suspected members of the al-Qaida in Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist groups during 3 combined security operations.
• Air Force experts, Iraqi aviation authority restructure airways AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- On Nov. 19, the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority implemented a revamped airway structure within Iraq, the first such airspace restructuring in years.
• NMCB 74 Alfa Company Prepares Ground for New Camp Navy NewsStand 20 Nov 2009 -- As Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 moves to their new location at Camp Leatherneck, Alfa Company Seabees are out in force preparing the ground. The desert land must be brought up to elevation, compacted and made suitable for wood structures, command tents and pedestrian traffic.
• Forces in Afghanistan Kill Militant, Detain Suspects AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Afghan and international forces in Afghanistan killed an enemy militant and detained several terrorism suspects.
• Afghan MP Escapes Assassination Attempt in Kabul VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- Afghan police say a member of parliament escaped an assassination attempt night near Kabul.
• Suicide Bomber Kills 16 in Southwest Afghanistan VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- Afghan police: suicide bomber riding a motorcycle exploded in southwestern Afghanistan, killing at least 16 people.
• Afghan suicide bomber kills 13 RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- A suicide bomber on a motorbike killed 13 people and injured 36 in a crowded square in southwest Afghanistan's Farah.
• U.S., Canadian Defense Chiefs Answer Afghanistan Questions AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Defense Secretary Gates and Canadian Defense Minister MacKay met to discuss bilateral, hemispheric issues.
• Gates Highlights Canada's Efforts in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Afghanistan was among the issues that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay discussed during a bilateral meeting here today.
• Clinton Stresses Mission's Importance to Troops in Afghanistan AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Secretary of State Clinton urged international forces to help President Karzai realize vision for Afghanistan.
• Afghan Troops Get Vehicle Egress Training AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Afghan National Army soldiers got their first Humvee egress assistance training at Forward Operating Base Thunder here Nov. 16.
• Corrections experts, engineers visit Afghan prison construction site AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- Correctional experts and Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team engineers visited the Kunar Prison construction site.
• USS Chosin Rescues Three Yemeni Fishermen in the Gulf of Aden Navy NewsStand 20 Nov 2009 -- USS Chosin (CG 65), the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 flagship, rescued three stranded Yemeni fishermen in the Gulf of Aden Nov. 17.
• Drone Kills 8 in Pakistan VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- Pakistani officials: Suspected U.S. drone attack has killed at least eight people, including foreign militants, in the country's northwest.

Defense Policy / Programs

• DOD Announces Military Commissions Actions DoD 20 Nov 2009 -- Today, prosecutors in the Office of Military Commissions announced they intend to ask the convening authority to refer new charges under the recently-enacted Military Commissions Act of 2009 against Abd al-Rahim Hussein Muhammed Abdu al-Nashiri, in connection with the bombing of the USS Cole in the port of Aden, Yemen, in October 2000
• DoD News: Navy Announces Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Military Relocations to Guam DoD 20 Nov 2009 -- The Navy announced today the availability of the draft environmental impact statement/overseas environmental impact statement (EIS/OEIS) for the military buildup on Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
• DoD News: Army Announces Independent Body Armor Review DoD 20 Nov 2009 -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today that the National Research Council (NRC) will perform an independent assessment of the Army's body armor testing, following last month's recommendation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an independent review
• DoD News: DOD Statement on Fort Hood Independent Review DoD 20 Nov 2009 -- The Department of Defense today released a statement by Togo West and retired Adm. Vern Clark, co-chairs of the DoD independent review related to Fort Hood
• US Military Ability to Find Militancy in Ranks Questioned VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. military says it has regulations in place that enabled commanders to take action if they believed the accused gunman in this month's Ft. Hood shootings was developing militant views. But at least one prominent former senior officer says current guidance to commanders is not sufficient.
• Army Force Generation focus of Army Secretary Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh visited "The Mountain Post" here Nov. 18 as the second of three stops on his first official tour of Army installations.
• 21st TSC oversees U.S., Georgian training exercise Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- In the ruins of a former Soviet airbase, the windowless, skeletal remains of the military structures here provided the perfect backdrop for the company-level field-training exercise for Immediate Response 2010, a joint U.S. and Georgian military exercise overseen by the 21st Theater Sustainment Command
• Army combatives program changes lesson plan Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. Army Combatives School has adopted a new teaching plan.
• Armament University develops new small arms design, weapons maintenance curriculum Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- The Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center's Armament University is now offering a suite of new small arms training courses to instruct engineers on weapons manufacturing and assembly
• Fort Monmouth police train for swift response to shooting rampage scenario Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- The specter of a gunman shooting innocent people and the attendant horrors of multiple victims can sometimes seem too disturbing to contemplate, something best thought of as road signs in the rear-view mirror with names like Columbine High School and Virginia Tech.
• Fort Bragg officials bring awareness in wake of Fort Hood tragedy Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- What would you do if the shooting that occurred at Fort Hood happened within the gates of Fort Bragg? Would you know how to react? Do you know how to remain safe?/li>
• Training at Fort Bragg simulates real experiences Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- The smell of incense, the aroma of tea and the sound of Arabic music all add an element of cultural realism to special operations training qualification
• Helmick assumes command of XVIII Airborne Corps Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- Amidst moderate temperatures and overcast skies, the Fort Bragg Community welcomed its newest commander, as Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Thursday at Fort Bragg's main post parade field
• 101st AirborneDivision HQ trains for next deployment Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- The division with the most deployments under its belt is at it again
• Expeditionary Contracting Command welcomes new commander Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- In a time honored ceremony, Col (P) Joseph L. Bass accepted command of the Expeditionary Contracting Command from Brig. Gen. Camille M. Nichols during a ceremony in Fort Belvoir's Specker Field House
• Joint Security Area Soldiers sharpen combat shooting skills Army News 20 Nov 2009 -- The United Nations Command Security Battalion Soldiers who guard at the Joint Security Area inside the Korean Demilitarized Zone conducted a stress shoot exercise at Liberty Bell Range Nov. 18 to improve their physical stamina and weapons proficiency
• Secretary Gates Remarks at the Halifax International Security Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia. DoD 20 Nov 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Media Availability with Secretary Gates and Canadian Minister of Defense Peter MacKay DoD 20 Nov 2009 -- Presenter: Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates
• Expeditionary Feeding Kitchen looking to make Field Food Service System a thing of the past USMC News 20 Nov 2009
• M/V Maersk Alabama Captain Thanks Bainbridge Crew Navy NewsStand 20 Nov 2009 -- M/V Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips thanked the captain and crew of the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) for his rescue from Somali pirates in April during a ceremony held on the fantail aboard the Bainbridge docked at the Nauticus National Maritime Center Nov. 19.
• Air Force leaders speak at 2009 Global Warfare Symposium AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- Air Force senior leaders discussed the service's priorities, capabilities and vision in space, cyberspace and strategic deterrence.
• AFSPC commander bids farewell to missile wings AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- Commander of Air Force Space Command, traveled to 3 bases to say farewell to three missile wings and the strategic deterrent mission.
• Mullen Sees Operational Structure in Guard's Future AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- National Guard’s transformation from a strategic reserve to an operational force since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, should continue beyond the current conflicts.
• Air National Guard graduates first class from Maxwell's Officer Training School AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- The first Air National Guard class of officer cadets to graduate from the Academy of Military Sciences at Maxwell Air Force Base received their golden bars Nov. 13.
• Gates Urges More Western Hemisphere Cooperation AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Gates: US and other Western Hemisphere nations must increase cooperation and collaboration for their continued security.
• Suicides in US Army At Record Levels VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- The number of suicides in the U.S. Army is reaching record levels.
• New physical fitness standards effective July 1, biannual testing begins Jan. 1 AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen.
• DOD, VA officials announce disability evaluation system pilot expansion AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- VA officials have announced the expansion of a program with the DoD to streamline the application process for people retiring or exiting the military due to disabilities.
• VA Recognizes Agent Orange Link to More Diseases AFPS 20 Nov 2009 -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki has directed broader health coverage from his department for Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.
• VA secretary announces study of Vietnam-era women veterans AFNS 20 Nov 2009 -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Shinseki has announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a comprehensive study of women veterans who served in Vietnam.
• Russian strategic bombers perform Arctic patrol mission RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Two Russian strategic bombers have accomplished routine patrol mission over neutral waters of the Arctic and Pacific oceans.
• U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 20 Nov 2009

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for November 20, 2009
• Lockheed Martin Super Hercules Deliveries Strengthen USAF and USMC Fleets Lockheed Martin 20 Nov 2009 -- Demonstrating the increase in the C-130J build and delivery rate, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] simultaneously delivered two C-130Js on Nov. 19 to two different customers – a C-130J to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and a KC-130J to the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Lockheed Martin Receives $17.8 Million Contract Award for A-10 Software Upgrade Lockheed Martin 20 Nov 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has received a $17.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for a software upgrade that integrates critical communications and situational awareness capabilities into the A-10C close air support fighter.
• Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. National Guard Training Contract Northrop Grumman 20 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. National Guard Bureau has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract to support the National Guard Bureau Joint Doctrine, Training and Force Development (NGB-J7).
• ThalesRaytheonSystems Delivers First New AN/TPQ-46B Radar to U.S. Marines Raytheon 20 Nov 2009 -- ThalesRaytheonSystems has delivered the first of 21 weapon locating radars to the U.S. Marine Corps to improve enemy fire detection and location.
• Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft Earns an Additional Military Airworthiness Certification Northrop Grumman 20 Nov 2009 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced the U.S. Air Force has granted the RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) a military Airworthiness Certification (AWC), a significant milestone in the life of the aircraft system and a step on the path to routine unmanned flight within the United States.
• U.S. Air Force Awards $302.9 Million Production Contract to Northrop Grumman for Five Global Hawk High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems Northrop Grumman 20 Nov 2009 -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $302.9 million fixed price incentive fee contract for five RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Under the Lot 7 production contract, the company will build two Block 30 systems and three Block 40 systems for the 303d Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.
• Oshkosh Corporation Exceeds November M-ATV Delivery Requirement Oshkosh 20 Nov 2009 -- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) today announced it met the November MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) production requirement ahead of schedule on Nov. 19. This marks the fifth consecutive month the company has exceeded the accelerated M-ATV delivery schedule. Oshkosh will continue to increase production to meet December’s requirement of 1,000 vehicles, with output remaining at that high level through April 2010.
• Hawkei military vehicle production to generate 700 jobs Thales 20 Nov 2009 -- Production of the next generation Hawkei Protected Military Vehicle–Light (PMV-L) in Australia would generate almost 700 jobs in Victoria, most of them in the Bendigo area, according to independent economic analysis.

Other Conflicts

• Daily Press Briefing by the Offices of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General and the Spokesperson for the General Assembly President United Nations 20 Nov 2009
• Interview: Conflict In Yemen Widens Amid Charges Of Iran Involvement RFE/RL 20 Nov 2009 -- A decades-old conflict in Yemen between the government and northern rebels from the country's Shi'ite minority is heating up.
• Kokoity 'anticipates' Belarus to recognize South Ossetia RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- S. Ossetian President Kokoity: Former Georgian republic "anticipates" its recognition by Belarus.
• DRC-CONGO: New wave of refugees flees fresh fighting IRIN 20 Nov 2009 -- Renewed clashes in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have led to a further wave of refugees, leaving corpse-littered villages in the affected area deserted, say humanitarian officials.
• Colombia Says It Will Not Be Provoked by Venezuela VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- Colombian President Uribe: Country will not be provoked into a confrontation with neighboring Venezuela.

News Reports

• World Powers Disappointed at Iran's Intransigence VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- Officials from 6 world powers have expressed disappointment at Iran's refusal to accept a proposal to send its uranium abroad for enrichment.
• Major World Powers Dislike Nuclear Response From Iran VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- The United States and five leading world powers meeting in Brussels expressed disappointment Friday that Iran had not accepted a uranium enrichment offer, even as the outgoing head of the International Atomic Energy Agency urged Tehran to agree to the plan.
• US Says Next Big-Power Meeting on Iranian Nuclear Program Will Take Up Punitive Steps VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- The State Department says the international community's patience with Iran is limited, and that another meeting of the P5+1 grouping will be held shortly to take up the pressure side of its two-track approach to Iran of incentives if it cooperates on the nuclear issue, and penalties if it doesn't.
• World Powers Meet On Iranian Nuclear Program RFE/RL 20 Nov 2009 -- 6 countries negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program are meeting as the threat of more punitive sanctions hangs over the dispute.
• Work on Bushehr continuing as scheduled - Russian contractor RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Russian and Iranian officials confirmed that work to launch Iran's first nuclear power plant is going as scheduled.
• Ban welcomes appointment of new European leaders UN News Centre 20 Nov 2009 -- Secretary-General Ban voiced the hope for increased cooperation between the EU and the UN following the appointment of Herman van Rompuy as the first EU President.
• Obama congratulates new EU president RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated Belgium's prime minister on his election as the European Union's new president.
• Russia looks to new EU leaders to continue strategic ties RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- FM Lavrov: Russia expects a continuation of its strategic partnership with the European Union following yesterday's election.
• Election of Van Rompuy as New EU President Draws Mixed Reaction VOA 20 Nov 2009 -- Europeans woke up Friday to news they had their first full time European Union president.
• First EU president to take office on January 1 RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Belgian PM Van Rompuy who has been elected the first president of the European Union will start his new job on January 1, 2010.
• Cuba blasts report on human rights violations in the country RIA Novosti 20 Nov 2009 -- Cuba has sharply criticized a recent report on human rights violations in the country prepared by HRW.
• Visiting U.S. Diplomat Pledges Support For Moldova RFE/RL 20 Nov 2009 -- US diplomat visiting Chisinau: White House supports Moldova's democratic process and will stand by it as it makes its foreign policy choices.
• GUINEA: Timeline since independence IRIN 20 Nov 2009 -- Guineans and the international community are watching mediation efforts of Blaise Compaoré, as international investigators begin to probe the 28 September deadly military attack on civilians in the capital Conakry.
• Tranquility Node and Cupola, developed by Thales Alenia Space, continue their path towards next year launch Thales 20 Nov 2009 -- Astronauts on board the International Space station are moving a step closer to getting extra living and working space as the Tranquillity Node and the Cupola continue their journey towards their scheduled delivery to the space station early next year. Built by Thales Alenia Space in Italy for the European Space Agency, the Tranquillity Node ownership is being transferred from ESA to NASA during a ceremony at the Kennedy Space Centre today.